Prisoners should pay some of the money they earn in jail to victims and society for the harm they have caused, the Ministry of Justice has proposed. Do you agree?
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said "The government believes that offenders should make reparations to victims and society for the harm they have caused". As part of the proposals, deductions would be made from prisoners' wages and paid into a fund that would support the victims of crime.
Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, has agreed with the proposals saying "A prison sentence that combines payback to victims with a proper wage for hard work makes good sense."
Is the Victims' fund a good idea? Are the new proposals a good way for prisoners to make reparations to the victims of crime? Does the average prison wage of £8 need to be reviewed? What other ways can prisoners' recompense crime victims?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
David Miliband has announced he will quit front-line politics. Did he make the right decision?
He was pipped to Labour's leadership by just over 1% on Saturday by his brother Ed Miliband.
Ed Miliband earlier told the BBC that whatever he [David] decided Britain "hasn't heard the last" of him. "I think it's most important that he does the right thing for himself and his family."
What is your reaction? Would it have been difficult for David Miliband to stay? What does the future hold for David Miliband in front-line politics?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The European Commission has told France that it faces legal action over its expulsion of Roma (Gypsy) migrants if it fails to adopt EU rules on freedom of movement by 15 October. Do you agree with this decision?
More than 1,000 people have been deported to Romania and Bulgaria since late July and the expulsions have led to a serious row between Brussels and Paris.
European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding says France has not respected a 2004 EU directive on freedom of movement. President Sarkozy claims that the illegal Roma camps threaten to become shanty towns.
Should the EU take disciplinary action against France? Are there better ways to tackle the issue?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The mid-life crisis used to hit as we turned forty but a survey by the charity Relate suggests that work and personal relationships are making us unhappy earlier. Do you agree?
Of those surveyed, 21% of people aged 34 to 44 say they feel lonely a lot of the time while a similar percentage say bad relationships at home or work have left them feeling depressed.
Dr Jane McCartney, a psychologist working in adult mental health, says results in this age group might be slightly skewed by more open attitudes to discussing depression and loneliness compared to the older people surveyed.
Do you think you are having a mid-life crisis? Are you finding, or did you find, increased stress in your mid-30s to mid-40s? How far are changing expectations and financial pressures increasing stress levels?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The culture secretary is to announce plans for new local TV services in the UK which would help "strengthen local democracy". Can local TV give a proper voice to local people?
In a speech later Jeremy Hunt will outline how rules governing the ownership of media organisations would be relaxed to allow local newspapers and radio stations to run TV services.
Mr Hunt says the UK should attempt to follow the other European countries which have local TV.
Is this long overdue? Are the plans sustainable? Can it produce distinctive programmes? How would it compare to local TV on other countries?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The actress Emma Thompson has spoken out against the use of sloppy language saying that people who did not speak properly made her feel "insane". Do you agree?
On a visit to her old school, Ms Thompson told pupils not to use slang words "because it makes you sound stupid, and you're not stupid". She went on to say "There is the necessity to have two languages - one that you use with your mates and the other that you need in any official capacity."
Her concerns echo those of some linguists who have said some young people's language is becoming saturated by slang, leaving them ill-equipped to communicate in the wider world.
Does the use of slang words make you sound less intelligent? Has the use of sloppy language gone too far? Should slang be banned in schools? Do you have two version of the language that you use?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
A BBC survey in 22 countries says that people believe that governments misspend more than half of the money they receive in taxes. What do you think about the way your tax money is spent?
Many people also want their government to play a more active role in the economy, the survey suggests.
Across the 22 countries, there was clear backing for government measures to reduce the cost of basic foods, with 78% of people, on average, in favour of food subsidies.
Doug Miller, chairman of one of the research agencies that conducted the poll, said that citizens wanted more active government but also more effective government intervention in the economy.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Do you feel your tax money is misspent? If so, how could it be spent better? Should governments intervene more actively in the economy? How can we reconcile scepticism about government effectiveness with the desire for them to do more?
Ed Miliband has delivered his first big speech as Labour leader. What is your reaction?
Ed Miliband, who won the leadership by just over 1% of votes, addressed delegates at the Labour conference in Manchester.
He praised the party's achievements but said they had to face "painful truths" - such as the Iraq war being "wrong".
In an hour-long speech he also said the party failed to listen to voters' concerns on immigration.
Have you been following the Labour party conference? Does the Labour party need to move away from the policies of the Blair-Brown era? Did Ed Miliband talk about the right issues?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says there will be no quick decision on whether to continue talks with Israel. Can the peace talks survive?
President Abbas said he would respond to Israel's lifting the ban on building in West Bank settlements after next week's meeting of Arab leaders in Cairo.
On Sunday, he had warned talks renewed earlier this month would be a "waste of time" unless the ban continued.
The 10-month moratorium came to an end at midnight (2200 GMT on Sunday). As the moratorium expired, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Palestinians to continue seeking a "historic" deal.
What do you make of the position taken by President Abbas? What would you ask leaders to do to keep peace talks going? Is it still worth pushing for a "historic" peace deal? Are you in the region? If so, what are your thoughts on future progress?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Ed Miliband has praised his brother David's "generosity and graciousness", after defeating him in the Labour leadership race. Have you worked or competed against a sibling?
There is now speculation he may be offered the shadow chancellor's role, but he is also said to considering whether to quit politics.
This is not the first time sibling rivalry has been in the public eye, tennis champion Venus Williams has also suffered defeat at the hands of her younger sister on court.
Some siblings, such as former Oasis members Liam and Noel Gallagher, have failed to hide their rivalry, whereas Minogue sisters Dannii and Kylie have both forged successful pop and soap star careers.
What are your experiences of sibling rivalry? How did you cope? Do you have a positive experience of working or competing with a sibling? What advise would you give?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
People could be given cash incentives to encourage them to give up smoking or to lose weight under proposals being considered by the health watchdog for England and Wales. Can cash incentives encourage better health choices?
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) is considering ways to persuade people to take better care of their health, amid concern about the impact that unhealthy habits are having on the NHS.
The study examined a series of schemes, including one in Kent which pays dieters up to £425 for losing weight and another in Scotland which gives pregnant women shopping vouchers worth up to £650 for quitting smoking.
Would you be willing to lose pounds to gain pounds? Are there other ways to encourage people to take better care of their health? Would offering money as an incentive to improve health be cost-effective for the NHS or would the money be better spent elsewhere?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Ed Miliband is due to make his first big speech as Labour leader, promising "different ways" of doing politics. Will he make a good leader?
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr that Labour will not "lurch to the left" under his leadership and he will not be in thrall to the trade unions, despite winning with the backing of their members.
A spokesman for David Miliband, who lost out on becoming leader by a slim margin, said he would not make a decision on his future until Wednesday, the deadline day for frontbench nominations.
Is Ed Miliband a good choice? Did the right person win? Can he lead the party to a victory at the next general election? What next for David Miliband?
Leadership results: Round by round
In depth: Labour leadership
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Coronation Street producers are taking unprecedented steps to keep their 50th anniversary storylines under wraps as filming is due to begin. What are your memories of the soap?
It is known that a tram will crash onto the street, killing some characters and destroying buildings. But ITV is keen to stop further details leaking out.
A street party was held on the set in Manchester on Friday, with the cast due to start shooting the first anniversary storylines on Monday.
Have you followed Coronation Street over the years? What was the greatest moment in the series? Who is your favourite actor or actress from the soap?
Thank you for your comments. This debate has now closed.
Proposals to scrap 180 quangos and merge a further 124 have been seen by the BBC's Politics Show. What is your reaction to the list?
The Renewables Advisory Board and Museum, Libraries and Archives Council are among taxpayer-funded bodies proposed for abolition.
The Cabinet Office has ordered an inquiry into the leak and says it regrets any "uncertainty" for employees.
What do you think about the proposals? Do you work for any of the bodies listed? Are the cuts necessary? Is the government right to abolish the role the quangos performed?
Read the list here
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Australia's Olympic Committee president has said the Commonwealth Games should not have been awarded to Delhi. Do you agree?
John Coates said the Commonwealth Games Federation lacked the resources to monitor progress and to ensure that construction deadlines were met.
England has become the first overseas team to reach Delhi, but other nations have delayed their arrivals.
The build-up to the event has been marred by construction delays, corruption scandals, a dengue fever outbreak, the collapse of a footbridge near the main stadium and security fears after Sunday's shooting of two tourists outside Delhi's Jama Masjid mosque.
Can Delhi recover from its setbacks to host a successful Games? Should organisers be given more support? Is the negative coverage unfair? Are you planning to go and support your country at the Commonwealth Games?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Ken Livingstone has defeated former MP Oona King to win Labour's nomination for the 2012 London mayoral election. Is the nomination a good choice for Labour?
Mr Livingstone served two terms as London mayor between 2000 and 2008, polled 68.8% of the total votes.
He will run against Conservative incumbent Boris Johnson. Former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik has said he hopes to win his party's nomination.
Mr Livingstone has said his top priority as mayor would be holding down public transport fares.
Does Livingstone's nomination signify a re-run of the 2008 mayoral election? Is his nomination a come-back to the political scene? Is his pledge to hold down fares a good one? What other areas should be a priority for the London mayor?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A special UN meeting has concluded that good harvests and adequate cereal stocks should mean recent rises in food prices ease. Are you concerned?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said its food prices index had risen 25% since last year.
Price rises have already sparked riots in Mozambique, but experts agreed there was no indication of an impending world food crisis.
The FAO's top grain expert, Abdolreza Abbassian, said "the spillover effects are nothing like we had in 2007-8, because a lot of other conditions that we had in 2007-8 which led to that sort of situation fortunately are not present."
Have you noticed the cost of food rising where you are? Should there be more regulation of food markets? Should countries maintain emergency food stocks?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Palestinian leaders to continue peace talks despite the end of Israel's partial freeze on settlement building. What can states do to help the situation?
In a statement moments after the freeze expired at midnight local time on Sunday (2200 GMT), Mr Netanyahu asked his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas to continue seeking a "historic" deal.
US President Barack Obama has urged Israel to extend the moratorium, saying it "made a difference on the ground, and improved the atmosphere for talks".
What would you ask your leaders to do to support peace? Is there anything that countries can do to make a difference in the Middle East? Does Barack Obama's push for peace have any chance of succeeding? Do you live in the Middle East?
Thank you for your comments. This debate has now closed.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has rejected talk of an impending battle for control of the Arctic region's mineral resources. How should resources be shared?
It is thought that under the Arctic Ocean lies 25% of the world's resources of oil and gas. The scramble for resources has been set in motion partly by improved access caused by the melting of polar ice.
Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark and the US have all laid claims to territory in the region. They have met in Moscow this week in an attempt to head off an international dispute.
Can the meeting prevent potential conflict over valuable resources? Are you attending the meeting? Are you based in the Arctic region?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Britain faces a brain drain warn the heads of six of the country's top universities. They say that cuts in the science budget will harm research and the country's economy. Should science be protected from spending cuts?
In a letter from the Lords Science and Technology Committee to the Science Minister David Willetts, the academics warn that specialists will leave the UK to move to countries where there is more investment in research and development.
The government says it is "committed to making the economic case for science and innovation". However, the Business Secretary Vince Cable recently stated that the scientific community could do "more for less".
Physicist Russell Stannard spoke to the Today programme on Thursday 23 September about the limits of scientific discovery.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
Is cutting the country's science budget a false economy? Do you work in science research? What should be done to encourage more interest in science and innovation? Are we reaching the limits of scientific discovery?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Inexperienced drivers should be banned from night driving to reduce the risk of accidents, according to researchers. Does the driving test need an overhaul?
Cardiff university researchers said "graduated driver licensing" for those aged 17-24 could save more than 200 lives and result in 1,700 fewer serious injuries each year.
This follows concerns of UK police about the safety of elderly drivers, who they claim are far more likely to be involved in low speed collisions, often caused by failing eyesight or confusion over the car's controls.
Does the driving test need modernising? Should there be restrictions for new drivers? Should elderly motorists retake a test? Should all drivers be made to renew their licences? What is required to hold a licence in your country, and are there restrictions on young or older drivers?
Traffic Cops: Age Old Problem, on the BBC iPlayer
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
One of the main separatist leaders in Indian-administered Kashmir says protests against Indian rule will carry on unless his main demands are met. How can peace be achieved in Kashmir?
Anti-India sentiment is high in Kashmir, where more than 100 protesters have died since June. Nearly all were shot dead by government forces.
A delegation of Indian lawmakers is in Indian-administered Kashmir on a two-day visit which aims to defuse months of deadly civil unrest in the region.
What will the visit achieve? How can the conflict in Kashmir be resolved? Do you live in Kashmir? What are your hopes for the future?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
World leaders are meeting this week to discuss progress on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Are the goals focussed on the right areas?
The eight goals, established 10 years ago, have a deadline of 2015. The United Nations agrees that the aims of halving poverty and hunger, and cutting in half the number of people without clean water will be met. However, progress on other goals, including helping women and their newborns and environmental sustainability, are mixed.
President Barack Obama told the summit that a revamped US foreign aid policy would focus on development, not dependence. Earlier, Deputy British Prime Minister Nick Clegg confirmed that the UK was committed to increasing the money it gave in overseas aid.
What efforts need to be made to ensure MDGs are met by 2015? Are the goals the most effective way to raise people out of poverty? What can be done to ensure richer countries honour their commitments?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Vince Cable has insisted he has a pro-business agenda but refused to apologise for attacking excessive bank bonuses paid to "spivs and gamblers". Did you listen to the business secretary's speech?
Business Secretary Vince Cable has warned banks they could face more taxes if they pay out "outrageously large" bonuses.
Meanwhile, Nick Clegg has said ministers had to start cutting spending early because of "perilous" economic circumstances after the general election.
Lib Dem members have voted to ensure spending cuts do not hit the poorest disproportionately.
What is your reaction to Vince Cable's warning? Is the cuts programme fair? What does the future hold for the Lib Dems? What do you think the Lib Dem conference will achieve?
Read the views of some young Lib Dems
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
International officials have hailed the bravery of Afghan voters who turned out in defiance of threats from the Taliban. Would you brave violence to cast your vote?
Turnout at the election for the Afghan lower house has been put at 40%. The Taliban had earlier warned voters to boycott the poll and "stick to jihad".
At least 17 people were killed on election day in about 445 violent incidents, including three members of Afghanistan's election commission.
There were also many reports of fraud that may raise questions about the results.
Does such a turnout amidst violence mean the country is moving forward? Will reports of fraud discredit the process? Are you in Afghanistan? If not, are you impressed by voters' determination?
Q&A Afghan parliamentary elections
Thank you for your comment. This debate is now closed.
The educational achievement gap between the poorest and richest pupils is widening, BBC presenter John Humphrys has been visiting schools in England to find out why. How can the gap be reduced?
According to the Education Secretary Michael Gove, "Rich, thick kids do better than poor, clever children, and when they arrive at school...the situation as they go through gets worse." Education charity The Sutton Trust says their research backs up this claim -and that there is no other advanced country in the world where the gap in performance between state and private schools is so large.
In "Unequal Opportunities," John Humphrys investigates different attempts to close this gap, including mentoring programmes, stricter levels of discipline, longer school opening hours and cultural visits.
Why does the gap between the richest and poorest children continue to grow? How would you make education more equal? Would longer hours and more cultural visits help? Or is better discipline the answer?
You can watch Unequal Opportunities on BBC Two on Monday 20 September at 2100 BST.
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Thousands of people have gathered to witness the Pope's beatification of 19th Century theologian Cardinal John Henry Newman on the final day of his four-day state visit to the UK. What has the state visit achieved?
On leaving, Pope Benedict used his speech to pay tribute to Britain's multicultralism. "The diversity of modern Britain is a challenge," he said. "But it also represents a great opportunity for the enrichment of the entire community."
PM David Cameron, whose father recently died, told the Pope: "When you think of our country, think of it as one that not only cherishes faith, but one that is deeply, but quietly, compassionate.
Pope Benedict has already expressed his "deep sorrow" for the "unspeakable crimes" of child abuse within the Catholic Church.
What difference has the Pope's visit made? Have you attended any of the events? What do you think about Benedict XVI's comments about diversity in the UK? Did he strike the right tone on the abuse of children within the Church?
What does Pope Benedict XVI's UK visit mean to you?
You can also send us your pictures and videos of the Pope on his visit to the UK.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.ukor text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The UK's interim cap on immigration from outside the EU is damaging to British business, Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable has said. Do you agree?
In an interview with the Financial Times he said that under the current measure, some businesses could not bring in the skilled professional staff they needed to expand and some companies were considering moving jobs abroad because they could not recruit the staff they needed. He told the paper he backs plans for a permanent cap from next April but wants it to be more flexible.
The Shadow Business Secretary, Pat McFadden agreed and said Mr Cable was "right to be resisting the proposal for an annual cap within government". However, the Home Office have said the temporary cap, introduced in July, still allowed the brightest and the best to enter the UK.
Has your business been affected by the cap? Have you been unable to expand? Or have you considered moving jobs abroad? Can the implementation of the immigration cap be improved? Or should the cap be removed?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Car parking charges for hospitals in England are to remain in place, the coalition government has announced. Should hospitals charge for parking?
The previous Labour administration had said it wanted to make parking free for in-patients and regular out-patients. But the coalition says there are better uses of public money than scrapping car parking charges.
Health minister Simon Burns said: "Hospitals need to take responsibility for their own car parking arrangements. Parking is already free at most hospitals in Scotland and Wales and for certain priority groups in Northern Ireland.
Have you paid for parking at a hospital? How much did you pay? Is it right for hospitals to charge for parking? Should they only charge certain groups? Do you agree with the government that there are better uses for public money?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Britain remains committed to replacing its nuclear weapons but the timetable for financing the scheme could change as a result of a value for money review. Is Trident needed?
Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said: "There is no suggestion that I am aware of either delaying any decision or indeed of delaying the procurement."
But he added: "The value for money study which is taking place at the moment - and which has yet to make a decision - may well look at the expenditure profile - the order, if you like, in which the programme takes different parts of the work."
But Labour warned any delays could put Britain's continuous deterrent at risk.
Does Britain need Trident? Should the decision be delayed? Are there any alternatives to Trident? Should Britain's defence budget be cut? What would a delay mean for the defence industry?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
BBC Radio 4 is starting a series looking at how much people are paid. Are you worth your wage?
Pay is very much in the news at the moment. From bankers' bonuses to pay freezes and pay strikes, everyone is concerned about what they earn. One influential book says pay inequality worsens everything from health to violence.
The prime minister has asked a commission to investigate a 20:1 ratio between top and bottom earners in the public sector.
This week, Radio 4 is examining these questions in its Can Pay, Will Pay series.
As a society, do people broadly get paid the right amount - too much, or too little? Should we aspire to greater equality, and if so how could it be achieved? Would a ratio between top and bottom pay be a good thing? Are executives worth their huge pay packets?
Can Pay, Will Pay, is on Radio 4 at 0900 BST on Thursday 16 September, and on Friday 17 September.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Thousands of people have gathered to witness the Pope's beatification of 19th Century theologian Cardinal John Henry Newman on the final day of his four-day state visit to the UK. .
The event, in Birmingham, is the first beatification by the Pope himself.
After the Mass in Cofton Park, the Pope will meet men studying for the priesthood, before returning to Rome.
PM David Cameron will thank the Pope for challenging the UK to "sit up and think".
What's your reaction to the Pope's visit so far? How are you marking the visit of Pope Benedict XVI? Are you attending any of the events?
We are also debating the impact of the Pope's visit - join that debate here.
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The conservative Tea Party movement has won several victories over mainstream Republicans in primary contests ahead of November's US mid-term elections. What does this mean for the Republican Party?
Republicans are hoping to benefit from anger over the US economy to win both houses of the US Congress in November.
The grassroots Tea Party movement - which favours tax and spending cuts - emerged as a force in American politics only last year. Candidates backed by the movement have won Republican senate nominations in Delaware, Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky and Alaska.
But observers say it has had a powerful effect on the Republican Party's choice of candidates for November and is seriously challenging the party's establishment.
Do you support the Tea Party movement? Will Tea Party-backed candidates win Senate seats in November? How will the movement shape mid-term elections? How should the Republican Party react to the movement's successes?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Complaints about second-hand cars increased by 18% in the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2009 according to research by the Office of Fair Trading. Do consumers need better protection?
The report found that many motorists ended up fixing problems with their new purchase themselves, at an estimated average cost of £425, when in fact they were the dealer's obligation to correct.
It also says that the advice service, Consumer Direct, took 38,138 complaints about used vehicles bought from dealers. In March, the OFT published a damning report about the state of the secondhand car market. However, it decided existing laws were sufficient to clean up the sector.
Have you encountered problems buying used cars? Do buyers have enough protection? Are you a used car dealer?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Language experts are gathering in Carmarthen, Wales to discuss saving the world's endangered languages. Do languages need to be preserved?
The Foundation for Endangered Languages estimates that between 500 and 1,000 of languages are spoken by only a handful of people and every year the world loses around 25 mother tongues.
Nicholas Ostler, the foundation's chairman says that languages are important because people care about identity. And when languages die, so too does the knowledge associated with them.
But others argue that trying to save languages is a waste of resources and a misunderstanding of how language works. Writer and broadcaster Kenan Malik says it is "irrational" to try to preserve all the world's languages.
What does the loss of languages mean for the world? Is it worth trying to preserve them? Or is this irrational?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
France and Germany are in a diplomatic row after German Chancellor Angela Merkel contradicted President Nicolas Sarkozy over Roma (Gypsy) camps. What is your view on France's actions?
Mr Sarkozy told a news conference that Chancellor Merkel had said to him that she intended to follow France's example in dismantling Roma camps. But Mrs Merkel's spokesman denied she had discussed the issue with Mr Sarkozy.
Prior to the EU summit, the EU justice commissioner, Viviane Reding had compared France's removal of Roma with the deportation of gypsies during World War II - remarks she later announced she regretted making.
More than 1,000 Roma in France have been deported to Romania and Bulgaria since late July. Critics see the policy as a way for the French president to boost his flagging popularity.
Was Viviane Reding right to criticise the French government's treatment of the Roma population? Should the EU take disciplinary action against France? Are there better ways to tackle the issue?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
Rafael Nadal joined the ranks of the all-time greats of tennis as he beat Novak Djokovic to win the US Open and complete his set of Grand Slam titles. Who do you think is a great sportsman or woman?
Nadal joins Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Fred Perry to become the seventh man in history to complete the set of majors - Wimbledon, the French, Australian and US Opens.
Other sporting greats could include Usain Bolt for his records set at the Beijing Olympics and current holder of the BBC's Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award, and World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali who was voted the BBC's Sports Personality of the Century in 1999. But who is your greatest sporting hero?
Tell us what qualities you think make a great sportsman. Is it just sporting achievements that make them great? Tell us whose achievements you admire and why.
This debate has closed. Thank you for your comments.
Ofsted says thousands of pupils in England are being wrongly labelled as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) when what they require is better teaching and support. Is the system working?
More than a fifth of school pupils in England have been identified as having a special educational need but Ofsted say the term is being used too widely and up to 25% of these just need better teaching and pastoral support.
The National Union of Teachers say the claims were "insulting and wrong". Its deputy general secretary told the BBC the report overlooked pressures on teachers and was "softening up the public to cuts to SEN budgets".
Is the current system labelling too many children with an SEN? Are pressures on teachers leading to increased numbers of SEN pupils? Are you a parent or teacher? What changes, if any, would you make to the system?
This debate has closed. Thank you for your comments.
Cuba has announced radical plans to lay off huge numbers of state employees, to help revive the communist country's struggling economy. Is capitalism winning in Cuba?
The Cuban labour federation said more than a million workers, or one in five Cubans, would eventually lose their jobs. Those laid off will be encouraged to become self-employed or join new private enterprises, on which some of the current restrictions will be eased.
President Raul Castro has said he the state's role in the economy has to be reduced. About 85% of the official workforce is employed by the state. Analysts say it is the biggest private sector shift since the 1959 revolution.
Are you in Cuba? What's the significance of the reforms? What effect will they have on the economy? Will they lead to political change?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
The commission set up by Tony Blair to find solutions to poverty in Africa says the continent needs billions more dollars in aid. Is this the right way to change Africa?
The Commission for Africa says the world's poorest continent has made "extraordinary progress" since 2005 but poverty reduction has also become more challenging in many parts of Africa.
There has been what the commission calls "dramatic" economic growth and a surge in trade and investment.
But the vast majority of people in the continent have yet to benefit from this economic success. And the commission says there will be further challenges from climate change and rising food prices.
What is your reaction to the commission's suggestions? Is aid the answer? How else can people be raised out of poverty? Do you live in the continent?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
British union delegates have backed joint industrial action if "attacks" on jobs, pensions and public services go ahead. Is there a better way to tackle the deficit?
Representatives at the TUC conference in Manchester supported a motion which included calls to build "a broad solidarity alliance of unions and communities under threat".
General secretary Brendan Barber warned that big cuts would make Britain a "dark, brutish and more frightening place".
Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' (RMT) leader Bob Crow has called for a campaign of "civil disobedience" but Mr Barber told the BBC he thought that was "counter-productive".
Do you agree with the unions' plans? What other measures would you suggest to tackle the economic deficit? Would more investment help the UK economy? Are you a delegate at this week's TUC conference?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
It's twenty-eight years since Pope John Paul II visited the UK. How has the Catholic Church changed during that time?
Since 1982, the Church's reputation has been badly damaged by allegations of clerical sex abuse and parishes are facing an unprecedented shortage of priests.
Meanwhile, the demographic of congregations has changed due to immigration from Poland, Africa and Asia. There are also continuing tensions between liberal and conservative sections of the Church.
How do you see the Church developing in the future? Has immigration been good for parishes? Can the liberal and conservative sections be reconciled? Should there be a smaller and more devout Church? Will you be going to see the Pope?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Pairs of parliamentary candidates should be allowed to stand in general elections and share the job if elected, Green Party's leader Caroline Lucas has said. Do you agree?
Ms Lucas said "If you have job sharing MPs, what that would allow you to do is to keep MPs with a foot in their community, keep their caring responsibilities, do voluntary work, continue part time in their profession."
At the party's conference in Birmingham she also appealed to Lib Dem supporters disillusioned with the coalition's policies to join her party.
Are you attending the Green Party conference? Did you listen to the speech by Caroline Lucas? Do you job share? What are your views on MPs job sharing? Will the proposal keep MPs more in touch with their constituencies?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
National Insurance cards are to be phased out, junior doctors will receive fewer checks and spare furniture will be sold online under plans to cut the deficit. How would you make savings?
The ideas, expected to save at least £1m a year, were chosen from about 100,000 put forward by members of the public and civil servants.
One union said getting the public to suggest cuts was a gimmick. It is thought more of the public's suggestions could become policy in future.
What do you think of the three suggestions? Did you send a suggestion to the Treasury? What was it? Do you think asking the public for their suggestions is a good idea?
Spending Review: Making it clear
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A US pastor pastor has withdrawn his threat to burn copies of the Koran as the US marks nine years since 9/11. What is your reaction?
Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida said on Saturday that the event had been cancelled permanently.
"We will definitely not burn the Koran, no," the Reverend Terry Jones told NBC's Today show. "Not today, not ever."
What is your reaction to Terry Jones' decision? What will be the long term impact of the controversy? What are your thoughts on the diplomatic and media focus on Pastor Jones' planned protest?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Journalist and talent show judge Piers Morgan has been confirmed as Larry King's replacement on CNN. What advice would you give him?
The show, which has not yet been named by the US network, will air from January in more than 200 countries.
Referring to King in a statement, the Britain's Got Talent judge said he had "dreamed of one day filling the legendary suspenders of the man I consider to be the greatest TV interviewer of them all".
Who is your greatest chat show host? What qualities separate an average talk show host from a great one? Is the head-to-head interview a tired format? What talk show genre works best?
Thank you for your comments. This debate is now closed.
A small US church says it will go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of 9/11 despite international condemnation. What is your reaction to the plans?
President Obama
condemned the plans in a television interview on ABC's Good Morning America programme. The president called the pastor's planned action a stunt, adding it would be a "recruitment bonanza" for al-Qaeda.
Gen David Petraeus, the top US commander in Afghanistan, warned troops' lives would be in danger if the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida went ahead with the burning.
But organiser, Pastor Terry Jones said: "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam."
What will the diplomatic impact of this be for the US? Should the Church be allowed to carry out the book burning? Has the Church got too much media coverage?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Calls for different degrees of murder charges have received the backing of the director of public prosecutions. Should murder be graded?
Keir Starmer told the BBC he supports calls for the introduction of first-degree and second-degree murder charges in England and Wales, along similar lines to the US system.
Critics of the current mandatory life sentence say it can be hard for juries to ascribe degrees of culpability.
Can society justify life-long imprisonment? Do you support calls for changes to murder law? Is a shift to the system necessary?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Schools have opened their doors for this year's intake of pupils, with many parents having faced a long battle to get their child into the school of their choice. Are school admissions fair?
BBC Two is running a major season on education, focusing on schools.
Kicking off the season is The Big School Lottery takes a year-long look behind-the-scenes in Birmingham with those who decide which secondary school children can go to, and case studies of the families involved.
Are you a parent? What is your experience of the school admissions system? Has your child been placed in their school of choice? Are you a teacher?
Read more about School Season
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
London and various cities in France faced disruption on Tuesday as unions striked over government austerity measures. Do you agree with striking?
In London, millions of commuters struggled to and from work as most services on the Underground were suspended or delayed. The unions are fighting plans to cut ticket office staffing levels, claiming security could be compromised for passengers.
A spate of strikes are also expected across the UK from public sector workers over pay and pensions cuts, while travellers are likely to face severe disruption from strike action by BA cabin crew this Christmas. Public sector workers in France are protesting against plans to rise the retirement age.
Do you agree with the unions? Are strikes the best way to dispute the cuts? Are the austerity measures necessary?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Julia Gillard will remain as Australia's prime minister after winning the backing of two key independent MPs. Can the new government last?
Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott held the balance of power in Australia's lower house after a fellow independent MP backed opposition leader Tony Abbott.
The dramatic announcement ended more than two weeks of political deadlock following an inconclusive election outcome. Ms Gillard's Labor Party now has just a one-seat majority over the Liberal-led coalition.
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says that with such narrow margins involved, it is going to be quite difficult for her to govern as she wanted to do.
What is your reaction to the outcome? Do you think the new government can survive with such a slim majority? What should be the new government's main priorities?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
It is the 70th anniversary of the blitz. How has the national spirit changed since then?
September marks the 70th anniversary of the onset of the blitz - a German bombing campaign that continued until May 1941.
During WWII the German airforce bombed industrial and civilian centres in London and across the UK and thousands died after weeks of consecutive raids.
Do you or your family members have memories of the blitz? Will you be marking the anniversary? How has the national spirit changed since the blitz?
Rare Blitz footage resurfaces after 70 years
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
MPs have backed calls for a fresh parliamentary investigation into allegations of phone hacking by journalists. Is there a need for the new investigation?
At the end of a debate on the issue, MPs agreed that the Standards and Privileges Committee should hold an inquiry into the matter.
Earlier in the week, the home secretary, Theresa May, said the police must be allowed to deal with new allegations about phone hacking at the News of the World.
The former editor of the paper, Andy Coulson, has rejected claims that he knew his reporters were involved in hacking into people's voicemails.
Do you think the new probe will be beneficial or that the original investigation should stand? Do you think the row has been overtaken by politics?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
The number of foreign students let into the UK is "unsustainable", minister Damian Green has said in his first major speech on immigration. Does the system need review?
Mr Green told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he didn't want to interfere with universities' success stories but said that there was a need to examine closely sub-degree courses and students' reasons for staying in the UK.
Home Office research suggests one-fifth of students were still in the UK five years after being granted visas. Net migration to the UK increased by 33,000 to 196,000 in 2009 with the numbers of visas issued to students going up by 35%, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Should the rules on student visas be tightened? Should courses for foreign students be limited to university level courses? Are you a foreign student?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols has said it is right that UK taxpayers should help pay for the Pope's trip to Britain. What are your views?
Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive on 16 September and it is thought that the cost of the visit could rise to between £10m and £12m.
However, Archbishop Nichols told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme it would be a "sad day" when the UK "closes its doors and says we can't afford state visits".
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
A recent survey carried out by think tank Theos claims that some 77% of Britons feel that taxpayers should not help pay for the Pontiff's forthcoming visit.
Do you agree with Archbishop Nichols? Will the Pope's visit be good for the UK? Is it justified during a time of economic crisis? Will you be going to see him?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Will you see the Pope?
Alcohol consumption in 2009 saw the sharpest year-on-year decline in 60 years, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). Have you cut down?
The BBPA said the data showed a 6% decline in 2009, the fourth annual drop in five years.
The association added that UK drinkers are now consuming 13% less alcohol than in 2004, below the EU average. It is thought the decline may be due to the economic downturn and a rise in alcohol duty.
On Thursday, the Scottish government announced it wants alcohol to be sold at a minimum of 45p per unit in an attempt to cut on consumption.
What is your reaction to the figures? Have your drinking habits changed? Are you a publican? Have messages about responsible drinking affected consumption? Is binge drinking a thing of the past?
This debate has now closed. Thank you for your comments.
There is no place for God in theories on the creation of the Universe, leading physicist Professor Stephen Hawking has said. Do you agree with him?
Professor Hawking had previously argued belief in a creator was not incompatible with science but in a new book, he concludes the Big Bang was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics.
The Grand Design, part serialised in the Times, says there is no need to invoke God to set the Universe going.
Do you think God created the Universe? If not, do you agree with Prof Hawking's assessment? What is your Big Bang theory?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Undercover footage of criminals drinking tea and smoking illegal drugs has led to criticism that community service is like a "holiday camp". Is community service too easy?
The pictures were filmed by ITV1's Tonight programme and have led to the government's victims' commissioner, Louise Casey, saying that it is "disgraceful". She wants the current system to be radically changed.
The investigation comes as Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke puts forward plans for more offenders to do community service instead of short prison sentences.
Do community service sentences adequately punish the offender? Should there be wider use of community service rather than using short prison sentences? Does there need to be a revision of the Community Payback scheme rather than reverting back to prison sentences?
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
The first direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in nearly two years have been held in Washington. Can an agreement be reached?
The US Middle East envoy said the talks, between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, had been "constructive".
Both sides have agreed to meet again in the Middle East in two weeks.
The talks had been overshadowed by the killing of four Israeli settlers near Hebron and the shooting of two Israelis in the West Bank. The armed wing of Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and opposes peace talks with Israel, has claimed responsibility for both attacks.
In which areas can a compromise be achieved? Could the recent violence destabilise the talks? How optimistic should we feel about these talks?
The BBC's Paul Reynolds outlines where the parties stand on the core issues.
This debate has now been closed. Thank you for your comments.
Tony Blair has revealed in his memoirs the inner workings of his relationship with Gordon Brown while they were prime minister and chancellor. Does it change your view of the Labour government?
Mr Blair said Gordon Brown's time as prime minister "was never going to work" because the former chancellor had "zero emotional intelligence".
He also told the BBC that Mr Brown could also be an "immense source of strength" but that Labour lost power because it "backed away" from further reforms.
You can read key quotes of his book here or read extracts at the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph.
Who do you think was the better prime minister? What do these revelations tell you about the Labour party and the inner workings of government? What do you think of the timing of the book's publication?
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.
Read the rest of this entry
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~17~RS~)